Tim Peake's spacecraft to go on display in Northern Ireland

Q Newsdesk

The spacecraft that carried astronaut Tim Peake into orbit in 2015 is set to go on display in Northern Ireland tomorrow.

A new exhibition opens tomorrow at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum featuring the spacecraft that carried the UK’s first ESA astronaut Tim Peake into space pic.twitter.com/PH6Dsieqmu

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) 19 February 2019

Along with the iconic rocket, the exhibition at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum also features his space-suit, and a 25 metre diameter parachute.

Visitors can hop on board a virtual reality simulator which recreates the journey from space back down to Earth in the Soyuz capsule.

Aeronautical engineer, Dr. Norah Patten says she hopes it will inspire children to pursue a career in her field:

Irish aeronautical engineer and scientist-astronaut candidate Dr. Norah Patten, who’s dressed for the occasion, says she hopes it will inspire the next generation: pic.twitter.com/5iZBn464Ov

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) 19 February 2019

Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI said:

“We’re delighted to work in partnership with the Science Museum Group and Samsung to bring the historic capsule to the Ulster Transport Museum for the final stop in what has been, and continues to be, a stimulating and engaging national touring exhibition.  The arrival of Tim Peake’s spacecraft opens a new chapter for the story of transportation chronicled at the museum.”

She added: “The exhibition will enhance our visitors’ experience by complementing the extensive collection of transport exhibits we have on display. The craft itself represents the very best in human ingenuity and feats of engineering, a historical narrative which is charted throughout the Ulster Transport Museum through a rich collection which showcases the innovation and feats of engineering of people from this part of the world.”

Some pupils from Scoil an Droichid Primary School got to see the preview of the exhibit:

Abbie and Arnold from Scoil an Droichid tell us how they’d spend a day in space: pic.twitter.com/TRWvN5f5YK

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) 19 February 2019